Natural Health Ezine » Nutrition

Symptoms Of Low Vitamin D Levels

Terrie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:16:31 +0000

There are a massive amount of nutrients that people need in order to stay healthy. One of the more important vitamins that we need is vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for cell growth. Vitamin D helps to maintain the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, and also helps with the body’s ability to absorb calcium. Adequate amounts of calcium is essential for strong and healthy bones, as well as protecting again osteoporosis, cancer, hypertension, and many autoimmune problems.

There are two forms of Vitamin D that are essential to people. Vitamin D2, otherwise known as ergocalciferol, and vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 comes from plants whereas vitamin D3 comes from the human skin. The foods that you see in the grocery stores that say they are fortified with vitamin D are fortified with both types of the vitamin.

Symptoms Of Low Vitamin D Levels

There are many symptoms that can indicate low levels of vitamin D. These symptoms range from mild to severe.

Rickets
Osteomalacia
Brittle bones or loss of bone strength
Greater risk of developing cancers including lung, breast, colon, and ovarian cancer
A lower functioning immune system
Increased chance of getting asthma, colds, and the flu.
Certain types of depression (seasonal affective disorder)
Cavities and periodontal disease
Muscle fatigue
Body aches
Osteoporosis
High blood pressure
Cardiomyopathy
Heart failure
Multiple sclerosis

In early childhood, one of the first signs that a young person is not getting enough vitamin D is the development of a condition called rickets. Rickets causes the bones to get weaker and often causes the legs to give out under the pressure of the person’s weight. Rickets can cause a child’s legs to bow outward. Not only can rickets cause bowed legs, the condition can also have the same impact on the arms, causing them to bow at an odd angle.

A condition similar to rickets is osteomalacia. This deficiency disease affects older people, making their bones softer and more prone to breaks. The person’s overall skeletal structure weakens drastically.

Who Is At Risk For Low Vitamin D Levels?

As with any condition, certain people are more prone to have a vitamin D deficiency. These people include:

People who are obese
Elderly people
Infants who are exclusively breast fed
People who get a limited amount of sun exposure
People who live farther from the equator
Individuals with a dark complexion
People who have inflammatory bowel disease

How Do You Get The Right Amount Of Vitamin D?

It’s recommended that you get anywhere from 200 to 600 IU (international units) of vitamin D every day, depending on your age. Many Americans don’t get enough sunlight because of the potential threat of sun damage and skin cancer. The less sunlight we get, the lower our vitamin D levels get. Luckily there are solutions to get more vitamin D in our diets.

Sunlight: Vitamin D is sometimes known as the sunshine vitamin. There’s a chemical in the skin that turns into an active form of vitamin D when sunlight hits it. There are lots of opinions on how much sunlight is needed to get an adequate amount of vitamin D through sunlight. Typically, the amount ranges from 5 to 30 minutes, two to three times a week The best time for sun exposure is from 10 AM to 3 PM.

Foods: There are several foods you can add to your diet to boost your vitamin D levels. Fish such as salmon, mackerel, or tuna are good options. Fortified milk, eggs, and cod liver are other great addition to your diet.

Supplements: You can get vitamin D in supplemental form. This is probably the easiest way to boost the amount you get. In fact, if you were to get all of your vitamin D from drinking milk, you’d have to ultimately drink about one liter of milk per day. That’s a lot of milk. If you’re sensitive to sunlight, or you sunburn easily, you may not want to risk the amount of time in the sun it would take to get the recommended amount That’s why it’s important to get vitamin D from several other sources. Doctors suggest to get a supplement with both vitamin D and calcium, as the vitamin D helps the body to absorb the calcium easier.

Photo by bernat…

Coriander – A Green Leaf Full of Life

Guest Author — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:54:44 +0000

Author Bio: Cathryn Johnson is a content writer for Medical Coding Certification who gives advice on the pursuit of education and living a healthy life. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors, performance arts and a good book.

I have recently been taking East Indian cooking lessons from my best friend’s mom. As we cook together, she often chats away regarding the multitude of health benefits the various spices we use possess. At first, I didn’t think much of her free commentary. But one evening, I decided to do some research of my own. I was amazed to discover that the colorful spices that I thought simply added to the taste, texture and aroma of Indian food,in fact provide quite a health punch.

What is Coriander?

One of my favorite Indian spices is coriander. I love coriander for its earthy aroma, which is a mixture of citrus and sage. Coriander can be found in seed or powder form, or as leaves, more commonly referred to as cilantro or Indian dhania. The fruit of the coriander plant contains two seeds which, when dried, are the used as the dried spice. The leaves of the plant are also used in cooking.

Coriander is one of the world’s oldest spices. Its use can be traced back to 5,000 BC. Although coriander originated in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions its has been widely used in Asian countries for thousands of years. The
ancient Egyptians cultivated coriander and it was even mentioned in the Old Testament. Hippocrates, along with many other early physicians, used coriander for its medicinal properties. Both the Greek and Romans used coriander to
preserve meats and flavor breads. In fact, the name coriander comes from the Greek word koris, which means bug. Perhaps this name has to do with the way the seeds look, or maybe because of the “buggy” offensive smell it emits when
unripe.

What are the benefits of Coriander?

Coriander is slowly developing quite a reputation for its healing properties. In certain parts of Europe, coriander is known as an “anti-diabetic” plant. Studies show that when this spice was added to the diet of diabetic mice, it helped
stimulate their secretion of insulin and lowered their blood sugar. Coriander has a stimulating effect on the endocrine glands, which results in an increase in secretion of insulin from the pancreas, which in turn increases the insulin level in
the blood. This helps with proper assimilation and absorption of sugar. And the end result is a fall in the sugar level in the blood, thus proving beneficial in the fight against diabetes.

In India, coriander’s anti-inflammatory properties are touted. Coriander contains, cineole, one of the 11 components of the essential oils, and linoleic acid, which both possess anti rheumatic and anti-arthritic properties. Thus, coriander is
beneficial for reducing arthritic swelling. Coriander also helps excretion of extra water from the body, this helping reduce swelling due to malfunctioning of kidney or anemia.

In the United States, recent studies show that coriander has cholesterol-lowering effects. In a study involving rats fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet, coriander lowered total cholesterol levels. It also lowered LDL (the “bad” cholesterol),
while increasing levels of HDL (the “good” cholesterol). It is believed that the acids present in coriander, which include linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and ascorbic acid (vitamin-C), are what help reduce the cholesterol
level in the blood. Coriander is also believed to help reduce the cholesterol deposition along the inner walls of the arteries and veins. As an added benefit, coriander provides a good source of dietary fiber, iron and magnesium.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to use coriander in its powdered or seeded form to enhance the flavors in your food, or in its leafy form as an edible garnishment, its health benefits make it a spice worth including in your spice rack. And if you are not
much of a cook, go out for Indian food, most dishes in restaurants are at least garnished with coriander leaves.

Photo by alex_lee2001

What Are The Health Benefits Of Turmeric?

NHE — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:38:39 +0000

If you need to add spices to your food to make them more flavorful, you have plenty to choose from. You want to be sure that the spices you add are healthy for you as well. There are a wide variety of spices that not only give your meals extra flavoring, but also add health benefits to your diet. One of those spices is called turmeric, otherwise known as Indian saffron, haldi, or curcuma.

Turmeric, a perennial plant that is found throughout China, India, and tropical Asia, is a part of the ginger family. The turmeric plant produces flowers which are a dull yellow color. Turmeric is a popular spice in Indian cuisine, but over 2,500 years ago, the people of India first used this spice as a dye. It wasn’t until later, that the medicinal properties of turmeric became known. The benefits of turmeric are vast, and cover a number of areas. What are the health benefits of turmeric?

Turmeric makes an excellent antibacterial. It is a natural antiseptic that can speed up the healing of wounds, and help to repair skin that has been damaged. Turmeric may also be able to treat inflammatory skin problems such as psoriasis. This spice might be able to prevent melanoma from forming, and may cause melanoma cells that already exist to die off.

Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory and it very potent. The spice works just as well as many of the over the counter anti-inflammatory medications. A benefit to using turmeric instead of over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs, is that turmeric leaves so side effects. This makes it a great natural treatment for people with arthritis as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric is a cox-2 inhibitor (a form of NSAID), and is a natural pain killer.

When it comes to cancer, turmeric shows a great deal of promise. When combined with cauliflower, turmeric prevents prostate cancer and puts a stop to the growth of any prostate cancer that already exists. Studies performed on mice have shown that turmeric prevents breast cancer from moving into the lungs. There is also hope that turmeric will have positive results in pancreatic cancer. The spice has been proven to cease any growth of new blood vessels in tumors. Turmeric has the potential of lowering the risk of childhood leukemia. The formation of metastases in several types of cancer may be prevented if turmeric is consumed. The side effects of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel are reduced when turmeric is taken. At the same time, the benefits of pacitaxel are enhanced.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that effects the function of the brain. Turmeric removes amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain, which may prevent or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s. The spice also has the great potential to slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

Other health benefits of turmeric include:

It naturally detoxifies the liver.
It may help with metabolizing fat and aid in weight management.
The people of China have been using turmeric as a treatment for depression for a very long time.
It soothes the stomach.
It has heart and liver protecting effects.
It has high amounts of anti-oxidants.
It protects again strokes and heart attacks.
It can help fight off bacterial infections

Since turmeric is not considered to be an essential nutrient, there is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) for this spice. It is suggested that the average adult can take 400 milligrams to 600 milligrams a day. Higher doses can result in an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal issues.

The next time you’re posed with the question “What are the health benefits of turmeric?”, you can look at this list and know the benefits are plentiful. Turmeric makes a great addition to anyone’s spice rack.

Photo by h-bomb

9 Health Foods With Benefits Of The Fountain Of Youth

Linda — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:31:38 +0000

This article is written by John Smith from NursingUniforms.net. This nursing scrubs website is your one stop online shop for branded lab coats for women, scrub tops and all kind of medical uniforms.

The concept of the Fountain of Youth dates back hundreds of years. Although it’s only a legend, the simple truth is humans have always been interested in preserving their youth. From exercising to avoiding excessive sunlight to taking anti-aging supplements, almost everyone is doing something to stay young, but most people overlook one of the most effective tools for slowing the aging process: food.

The foods we eat absolutely affect how we look and the way our body functions. By eating the right foods, you can look better, feel younger, and have a stronger, healthier mind. What are the best foods for keeping you young? Read on to find out.

Cocoa—Did you know that cocoa powder has almost twice the amount of antioxidants as red wine? It also has nearly three times the amount found in green tea. These antioxidants offer numerous anti-aging benefits, helping to prevent many diseases and keeping your mind sharp. To get the most benefits from chocolate, you should eat dark chocolate as milk chocolate has fewer of these antioxidants.
Almonds—The Food and Drug Administration has released studies suggesting daily consumption of almonds could reduce the risk of heart disease. But that’s not all. Almonds also have healthy fatty acids that can help your nails stay strong and look their best. The result? You stay healthier, and the antioxidants and healthy fats keep you feeling and looking your best.
Olive oil—It seems like every day you hear about more benefits associated with olive oil. Olive oil contains heart-healthy fats that can help prevent diseases and keep you feeling your very best. Some scientists even claim olive oil can help prevent cancer. This antioxidant-rich compound is also a feature ingredient in many beauty products as it helps to keep you looking young.
Yogurt—Yogurt offers a wide range of health benefits, but perhaps the most important benefit is that it strengthens your immune system. A strong immune system means fewer illnesses and just less wear and tear on your body. The calcium in yogurt can also help keep you strong, further working to preserve your youth.
Cranberries—The cranberry is pretty remarkable. These little berries are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids have been found to have various anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, meaning they can basically help you stay healthier and stronger. Cranberries are also jam-packed with antioxidants, fighting off damage done to the body by free radicals and pollutants we’re exposed to every day. Cranberry extract is a popular ingredient in skin renewal products.
Fish—There’s a reason fish oil supplements have become so popular. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which work to clear out your arteries, improve heart health, and even improve brain function. The best fish varieties are wild salmon, tilapia, mahi mahi, and whitefish. Try to keep fish as a part of your regular diet so you can ward off heart disease and preserve your youth.
Soybeans—Soybeans have numerous heart-healthy fasts, proteins, and fibers that can keep your heart and mind performing at optimal levels. Soybeans have been said to help diabetes, aid in growth in development, prevent mental fatigue, energize the brain, and fight cholesterol. But be sure to buy non-GMO soybeans.
Blueberries—Blueberries have extraordinarily high antioxidant levels. It’s pretty difficult to find any other food that can match it. The antioxidants in blueberries work to destroy free radicals. What are free radicals? These are the substances many believe cause aging in the body. Evidence seems to suggest that an antioxidant-rich diet can slow the aging process, and with the high levels of antioxidants in blueberries, you could get the maximum anti-aging benefits.
Grapes—Grapes provide a comprehensive range of health benefits. They have polyphenols, which can be helpful in preventing cancer and heart disease. Grapes are also rich in antioxidants, so you’ll enjoy the anti-aging benefits every time you consume grapes or grape juice. Some studies have even found that grapes can prevent skin cancer, keeping your skill cells healthy and smooth.

The key to getting the most of these foods is to enjoy them regularly with a sensible diet. If you eat these alongside foods that are bad for you, you’ll never get the full results you hope for. You should also exercise regularly to further protect yourself against aging.

How many of these 9 foods are a regular part of your diet? What other foods do you think help with preserving youth?

Photo by J.C. Rojas

Naturally Low Sodium Foods

NHE — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:00:37 +0000

I’m a label reader. One hundred percent. Every time I go to the grocery store, I always read the nutrition labels on the foods I buy. One of the things I pay close attention to is the sodium content of foods. Sodium is necessary for a healthy diet, but it’s easy to go overboard. It’s recommended we get 2300 milligrams of sodium at most each day, but a lot people consume way more than that. I’m always shocked at the sodium content of certain foods. How do you avoid excess sodium? One way, is to do as I do, and read the label. I tend to pass up any food items that have a sodium count over 250, and that’s on the absolute high end for my liking. Another way is to look for naturally low sodium foods.

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

First up on the foods that are low in sodium are fruits and vegetables. This is probably an obvious answer, but these foods are extremely healthy for you, beyond their lack of sodium. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health. They’re also loaded with fiber. It’s always best to choose whole fruits and vegetables, and avoid the canned stuff. Fruits and vegetables that come in cans have very high sodium contents, and are best to be avoided. If you already have cans of fruits or vegetables, there’s no need to toss them out. You can still eat them. To avoid the sodium, put the fruits or vegetables in a bowl, and rinse them with cold water. Most of the salt content will be gone after a few thorough rinses.

Fresh Meat & Poultry

Fresh meat and poultry are also naturally low in sodium. The sodium content for half a skinless chicken breast is just 77 milligrams. A 4 oz ground turkey patty contains about 88 milligrams of sodium. Be sure to read the label on poultry and meat packages to be sure. There are some products that are injected with a salt water solution to give the poultry or meat a plumper look.

Herbs & Spices

Instead of using table salt to flavor your meals, use herbs and spices. Adding the zest of an orange is a good option when cooking chicken. There’s absolutely no sodium in the zest of an orange. Adding one tablespoon of ground ginger to your meal only adds about 2 milligrams of sodium. Garlic powder, onion powder, and celery salt are other spices that are low in sodium.

Avoid Salt When Possible

Beans, peas, lentils, rice, and pasta are also naturally low sodium foods. When you cook these food items, don’t add salt to the water. Pasta can get a boost in flavor but adding vegetables to it. There’s nothing better than a plate of whole wheat pasta with steamed broccoli tossed into it. Olive oil is OK to toss the pasta with as it contains no sodium at all.

Breakfast Foods

You might think breakfast foods are loaded with sodium. It’s all in the way they’re prepared. Eggs are usually cooked in butter and then have salt poured onto them. That’s what makes them unhealthy. Take a look at one Grade A extra large white egg. It only contains 75 milligrams of sodium. If you cook that egg in a pan that’s been coated with olive oil, and then you add no salt to it after, you have a healthy breakfast option. You can have oatmeal on the side, another low sodium breakfast food, and a piece of fruit, making it a nutritious and full meal.

Start Slow

If you have a taste for salt, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to have bland meals forever. Instead of salt, try spices and herbs. Gradually decrease your use of salt over time, and eventually you won’t even need any salt, other than what recipes require. People that have cut down their salt intake find that after several weeks, they don’t miss the taste. When you read nutrition labels, cut down the use of salt, and buy naturally low sodium foods, you’ll end up with a healthier diet.

Why Are Beets Healthy?

NHE — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:35:57 +0000

Beets are one of those vegetables that have a bad reputation. They look odd, and when you mention them to some people, you get a grimace in return. They may look a little strange, but beets are packed with lots of benefits. Beets can be eaten raw, cooked, cold, or hot. You’ll gain the same benefits no matter how you consume them. What are the health benefits of eating beets?

Gives Energy

They’re a great source of energy due to their high carbohydrate count. Carbohydrates are often thought to be “bad”, but consuming appropriate amounts of carbohydrates keep your body running efficiently. Carbohydrates are essentially what fuels the body. Beets make an excellent food to eat before a workout. They provide the body with the fuel it will need to keep going. They would also be good to eat after a workout to replenish the energy that was used up. Incorporating beets into a meal before or after your workout will help to re-energize you.

Calcium & Iron

Beets contain many essential nutrients that promote good bodily health. These include calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, and iron. Two of the nutrients that most people don’t get enough of are calcium and iron. There’s about 10% of the daily recommended amount of iron in one cup of boiled beets. You’ll also get about 3% of the daily recommended amount of calcium in one cup of boiled beets.

Helps During Pregnancy

Another essential vitamin found in beets is B vitamin folate. This vitamin is vital for normal tissue growth, A diet rich in folate is particularly important for pregnant women. Without enough folate during pregnancy, the spinal column of the infant doesn’t develop properly. Pregnant women should aim to get 400 micrograms of folate each day. One cup of boiled beets has 136 micrograms of folate.

Fights Cancer

Beets contain the pigment betacyanin that can help fight cancer. Studies have been done on beets and their relationship with cancer, and the results from these studies show that the vegetable can guard against colon cancer and stomach cancer. The red pigment of beets increases levels of anti-oxidant enzymes of the liver, and could promote detoxification within the liver, blood, and the intestines. Colonic CD 8 cells are able to find and remove abnormal cells. Beets can increase these colonic CD8 cells.

Protects Against Heart Disease

Studies have shown that beets can help protect the body from developing heart disease. Beets are able to help lower both the bad type of cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. This is due to the amounts of folate that are found in beets. They can also promote good health toward the gall bladder, and the colon.

Strong Bones

Healthy bones not only require calcium, they also require magnesium. Magnesium promotes bone production and helps the bones to maintain their stability and strength. Because of their high levels of magnesium, beets are great for anyone who has osteoporosis. Eating beets regularly could even prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Beets contain a metabolite of choline, called betanine, which can help reduce joint inflammation. Not only does this help people with osteoporosis, but it helps people suffering from arthritis as well.

Good For Your Brain

Certain cognitive disorders, such as senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by anti-oxidants. Vegetables that have dark skins, like the beet, have high levels of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help to avert free radicals that can damage cells, including those cells located in the brain. Due to the anti-oxidants present, beets are a great food to help stave off the aging process, and help you to feel and look younger.

With all of the health benefits of eating beets, it’s a wonder why this vegetable gets strange looks from people. This strange looking vegetable can help with many health issues and can leave you feeling healthier longer.

Photo by Darwin Bell

The Health Benefits of Nattokinase

NHE — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:07:02 +0000

Nattokinase is an enzyme derived from natto, a Japanese traditional food made from fermented soybeans. It is extracted, purified and then manufactured in either tablet or capsule form for convenience purposes and also to accommodate those people who are not fond of the slippery texture and pungent smell and taste of the natto.

Several articles and studies have discussed the health benefits of this enzyme on preventing diseases such as strokes, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, phlebitis, and pulmonary embolism. This enzyme is taken orally and is a cheaper but more potent alternative to Urokinase. It doesn’t have the side effects that anticoagulant medications have. It has also been proven to have a longer effect inside the body when compared to Urokinase, another enzyme with similar effects but is extracted from urine. The latter is more expensive, lasts only for a shorter duration and can only be administered intravenously when compared to nattokinase. Research has also shown that nattokinase has four times greater clot-dissolving properties than plasmin, a naturally occurring enzyme in the body.

When we have wounds or cuts our bodies produce proteins known as, fibrinogens, which act on the injured site to stop bleeding by forming mesh work of fibers to create blood clots. There are several proteins in our body that serve as fibrinogens but only one protein known as plasmin to counter its effects. Plasmin is a fibrinolytic enzyme that serves to dissolve blood clots and prevents thrombosis in the body. But as we age, our body gradually produces lesser amounts of this protein needed to break down clots or plaques that have formed within our blood vessels. In addition to that, the fibrinogen or blood clotting factors in our bodies increases as we age, while plasmin levels continue to decrease. This leads to an imbalance wherein there is more clot formation than clot dissolution leading to blockage of an artery or an organ that may eventually lead to diseases. Nattokinase can help improve this by directly acting on the blood in order to dissolve blood clots. It also enhances the body’s production of plasmin and thus, also acts as preventative agent to hinder blood clots formation in our arteries and organs.

Nattokinase side effects

There are no known or reported side effects, toxicity or allergic reactions when using Nattokinase. Although the effects of nattokinase in healthy people are still unknown, they are not advised to take them as health supplements for it may cause spontaneous bruising and bleeding. People with bleeding disorders and those on warfarin medication such as Coumadin or other anti-coagulant drugs should not take nattokinase. This enzyme can lower blood pressure and may interfere with the effectiveness of anticoagulants. It may also cause internal bleeding in some patients. Do not take nattokinase if you are taking Vitamin K or medications for your blood pressure, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor before taking any health supplements to prevent any unwanted drug interactions.

Natural Remedies for Vericose Veins

NHE — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:04:53 +0000

Most women have either experienced or are at least familiar with varicose veins. These veins are enlarged and can sometimes be quite painful. The term “varicose” is a Latin based word meaning “twisted”. You may think that women are the only ones who deal with varicose veins, but that’s not the case. In the United States, 25% of women experience varicose veins, while 15% of men are affected by them. Because the veins in the legs have to work against gravity, varicose veins are most prevalent in the lower limbs. Varicose veins can appear in other areas, such as the arms. These unsightly veins are a cosmetic concern, because they’re enlarged, twisted, and are a bluish purple color. Not only are they a deterrent in one’s appearance, they also cause swelling, pain, aching, or a heaviness in the legs. They can also be a warning sign of circulatory disorders or heart disease. If varicose veins aren’t treated, they can lead to blood clots, skin ulcers, and inflammation of the veins. Luckily there are some natural remedies for varicose veins.

Diet and Supplements

Probably the safest natural way to treat varicose veins is through diet and supplements. If your diet is low in fiber, if can lead to pressure build up which can aggravate varicose veins. Getting enough fiber will help to eliminate stool and will prevent any straining action that can occur otherwise. Fiber helps to move things along smoothly. If you suffer from varicose veins, there are some foods that should be avoided. Foods such as salt, sugar, alcohol, animal protein, processed or refined foods, fried foods, ice cream, and cheeses can all have an effect on varicose veins. Eat them in moderation or try to cut them entirely out of your diet.

Extracts such as horse chestnut extract, grape seed extract and pine bark extract can treat varicose veins. The horse chestnut herb is the most widely used herb for this purpose. A compound called aescin that is found in this herb seems to inhibit the release of enzymes that cause damage to the walls of capillaries. Results of studies show that those participants that used horse chestnut extract lead to a significant decrease of leg pain as well as swelling compared to those that were given a placebo. Caution needs to be heeded when taking horse chestnut. Manufactured horse chestnut products are safe, such as those in extract form, because the toxic substance esculin has been removed. The FDA has deemed whole horse chestnut unsafe and if a person uses it, they can experience headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsion, diarrhea, respiratory and circulatory failure, or even death. So make sure that the component esculin has been removed.

Both pine bark extract and grape seed extract contain anti-oxidants called oligomeric proanthocynidin complexes (OPCs). These types of anti-oxidants strengthen the connective tissue structure that make up blood vessels. They also help to reduce inflammation. OPCs have been studied, and results show that these anti-oxidants bring relief to people who have varicose veins. There’s some caution that needs to taken when using pine bark or grape seed extract. If you suffer from any autoimmune disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease, you should avoid using both pine bark extract and grape seed extract. Only do so if you get the “OK” from your doctor.

The plant Butcher’s broom, which is part of the lily family, is believed to be able to strengthen collagen in the walls of blood vessels. This is due to the component ruscogenin. This component is believed to be able to tighten those vessels that are weak and stretched causing the varicose veins. Again, take caution when using this plant. If you take high blood pressure medication or medication for benign prostate hyperplasia, or an MAO inhibitor, talk with your doctor first.

It’s best to talk with your doctor before trying any of these natural remedies for varicose veins.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

NHE — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:46:54 +0000

Apples are one of the most common and popular fruits in people’s diets today. This juicy piece of fruit can be made into many delicious snacks. Deserts such as candied apples, apple pie, or a cut up apple with cinnamon sprinkled on it. No matter how you eat them, apples are just plain delicious. Most everyone has heard the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Is this just an old proverb parents tell their children to get them to eat apples, or can it really prevent frequent doctor visits? There are quite a lot of health benefits of eating an apple a day.

Fiber and Pectin

One medium sized apple contains only 80 calories and provides five grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Consuming enough fiber allows food to travel more easily through the digestive system. Pectin, a type of soluble fiber, is present in the skin of the apple. Pectin helps prevent cancer by blocking the development of a certain type of protein that is found in all stages of cancer. Pectin has also been linked with being able to lower cholesterol levels. This link was discovered back in the 1960s when tests were conducted by European scientists. The study concluded that people with high levels of cholesterol benefited greatly by eating several apples during the allotted time. Apples not only lowers total cholesterol, but they raise the good cholesterol (HDL) and lower the bad cholesterol (LDL). The results suggest that people who eat two apples every day can lower their cholesterol by 16%.

Antioxidants

Apples have large amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, which are types of antioxidants. Antioxidants helps to stave off the effects of premature aging. Various oxidants, or free radicals, can penetrate our bodies and cause aging signs to show up earlier than normal. These oxidants can be due to stress, sun exposure, pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy foods. Cells that have already been damaged by free radicals can be repaired with antioxidants.

Healthy Bones

The flavanoids found in apples also provide bone protection. A certain type of flavanoid, called phloridzin, was discovered by French researchers, that is only present in the apple. Phloridzin may help to protect women who are in post menopause from developing osteoporosis. It may help to increase the density of the bones as well, along with another component called boron.

Helps with Asthma

There’s a link between eating apples and asthma too. A study was conducted where children who had asthma drank apple juice every day. As a result, the children had less wheezing than other children that drank apple juice just one time every month. In another study, women who ate a lot of apples during the time they were pregnant, gave birth to children with a lower risks of getting asthma.

Prevents Cancer

Eating apples regularly could help to prevent cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Various studies have shown a lower percentage of these cancers in people who ate apples regularly and those that didn’t. The study on lung cancer for example, showed those people who ate a lot of apples split their chances of getting lung cancer in half. This is believed to be due to an abundant amounts of naringin and quercetin flavanoids, found in apples. This study was comprised of 10,000 people.

I would say that the old proverb “An apple a day can keep the doctor away” is true. With all of the health benefits of eating an apple a day, it’s no wonder that this saying has been passed down from generation to generation. Apples are very easy to come by, and are cheap. It should be no problem at all to stock up on these juicy fruits and start taking advantage of the benefits they provide.

Health Benefits Of Mangoes

Terrie — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:27:44 +0000

You may have heard nutritionists say that we need to “eat a rainbow of color” every time we sit down at a meal. The best way to get color into our meals is by incorporating fruits and vegetables. Think of a color in the rainbow color scheme, and you can find a fruit or vegetable to match. Mangoes are a great example. The fleshy part of this fruit is a deep yellow, while the skin is a myriad of reds, oranges, and greens. Along with being such a colorful fruit, the mango provides many benefits to your health. The health benefits of mangoes range from aiding in digestion to reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Vitamins

Mangoes are a great low calorie fruit. One mango contains roughly 135 calories, which provides a lot of food for the size of the fruit. Mangoes are packed full of vitamins and minerals. One quarter of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C is found in a small mango. Good amounts of Vitamins A, E, and K are also present. Not to mention beta carotene, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is a wonderful nutrient for a person’s health. It not only reduces the risk of high blood pressure, it also is great to consume for aching muscles or muscle knots. High amounts of iron are found in this amazing fruit. Iron is especially important for women during their menstrual cycles and during pregnancy. This is a great fruit to consume if you suffer from anemia (iron deficiency).

Fiber

Mangoes are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber helps to improve your digestive system by flushing out waste. Fiber helps food move more easily through the digestive tract. A soluble type of fiber called pectin is found in mangoes, which helps to lower cholesterol. That’s just the beginning of what pectin can do. This type of fiber has been discovered to release fragments that bind to a protein called galectin 3 and inhibits it from spreading. The galectin 3 protein is found in all stages of cancer. Stopping this protein in its tracks can lower the risk of getting cancer.

Beta Carotene

Due to the mango having a great amount of beta carotene, this fruit provides anti-oxidants that eliminate free radicals from the body. Free radicals can cause cell damage and can lead to premature aging, cancer, heart disease, and degenerative diseases. Another benefit that mangoes can provide the skin is the potential to get rid of acne. Applying slices of the fruit to your skin can help to unclog pores. Clogged pores is a large part of what causes acne.

Helps With Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory properties are also found in mangoes. These properties make mangoes a great fruit for people suffering from arthritis, as it can help to reduce the pain of joints. The anti-inflammatory properties can also ease the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Mangoes provide benefits to people who deal with the following issues:

Diarrhea
Bacterial infections
Constipation
Dysentery
Hair loss
Eye disorders
Liver disorders
Heat stroke
Leucorrhea
Piles or hemorrhoids
Menstrual disorders
Morning sickness
Vaginitis
Scurvy
Sinusitis

Mangoes are able to treat some of the following ailments in Chinese Medicine:

Anemia
Constipation
Bleeding gums
Nausea
Fever
Cough
Weak digestion
Sea sickness

The mango fruit definitely deserves the title of being one of the many super foods. The health benefits of mangoes are vast and cover a wide range of issues. Mangoes can be incorporated into the diet very easily. They can either be eaten whole or added into smoothies to boost your intake of nutrients. With all of these benefits, mangoes should be one of those foods to add to your regular diet.

Photo by TeeJe